Posted by a Friend - Marty Dodson

This was posted by songwriter Marty Dodson yesterday on Facebook.  This is my world and why I am so passionate about the issue of internet piracy:  "Because a couple of you have asked. Here is a representative story of the fight that songwriters are in to protect our product. Kim Dotcom, owner of illegal downloading site "Megaupload" was recently arrested in the 42 million dollar home that he was renting. He personally was making $115,000 per day from Megaupload and its sister sites. His business model was the equivalent of opening a Walmart-sized store that was stocked with only goods that were stolen from those who made them. Everything in his "store" belonged to someone else. He was making over a million dollars every 10 days, and the people who created the music, movies, or other content were getting paid nothing. I personally have a song video on YouTube (put there by someone else) that has been played over 7 million times. Google paid over $4 billion for YouTube several years ago. I have received nothing for this video. If I had been paid just 1 penny per play, that would be $70,000 in my pocket. Do you see why Google does not want internet piracy to be taken down? They are making billions off other people's content. Meanwhile, friends of mine that are extremely talented writers are losing their writing deals, publishers and labels are closing, and many people are losing their jobs. All we are asking for is a share of what people are making from our music. We don't want government handouts, just protection from criminals. If you can't rob a bank or steal from Walmart, you shouldn't steal from a songwriter, movie producer, actors, etc. Please pay for your music."

Comments

[Free Sheet Music]

You're describing a very real issue. Problem is, no one's come up with an acceptable and realistic solution. The technology, end-user behavior, and the global non-boundaries that permit the issue have to be considered when determining a solution.

[Shalamon Baskin]

It should be the easiest way possible. Divide the money all the money the illegal websites make with the people who provide the content. Everyone who has songs on any site receives a fair share. I do not mind the founders or owners of a particuliar site making money, but they have to share it with the people who actually do the work..You can look at it like the casino started by American Indians. If you are part of that tribe, you get your share from the income brought in from the casinos. So the songwriters/performers/producers should all receive their fair share.